TAP

An incomplete late Medieval or Post-Medieval copper alloy zoomorphic barrel tap, probably dating to c. AD 1400-1700. The tap key is missing and the spigot or pipe (which would have entered the barrel) is damaged. The tap is formed by three integral elements, the spout, the cylindrical barrel to accommodate the stem and handle, and the spigot. Both the spigot and the barrel are oval in cross section. From one side of the barrel projects the spigot, which is incomplete. From the opposite side of the barrel projects the spout, initially rectangular in cross section and cast into the form of a relatively angular dog's head, the mouth of the spout, roughly circular in section, projecting from its jaws.

The object is a mid to dark brown and has an uneven surface patina. The spigot has a small irregular hole in the side as a result of corrosion.

The tap is 74.36mm long; 9.42mm wide across the barrel and a maximum of 17.40mm thick across the spout. It weighs 12.5g.

A number of similar taps have been recorded on this database, including IOW-8F5BB4, SOM-DE4477, DEV-0DD68C, amongst others. These are generally either given a broad date range (the approach followed here), or dated specifically to the 17th century.